Small Portrait Engraving of King George III, British Royal Portrait, 1804
€ 110
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1804
Sheet size
15.7 × 10.9 cm (6.2 × 4.3 in)
Condition
Fair
Reference
BG-14283-24
Condition
Fair to good condition overall, with age toning, light foxing, and visible diagonal creases at the lower corners. Minor handling wear and small discolorations consistent with age. Strong clear impression.
About this sheet
Small Portrait Engraving of King George III, British Royal Portrait 1804
This refined early 19th-century stipple engraving depicts King George III of the United Kingdom, presented in a formal oval portrait surrounded by a delicate engraved border. Produced in 1804 and engraved by John Chapman, the print reflects the elegant portrait style popular during the late Georgian period and offers a dignified image of one of Britain’s most historically significant monarchs.
George III (1738–1820) reigned as King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1760 until 1820, making him one of the longest-serving British monarchs of his era. His reign encompassed many defining historical events, including the American Revolutionary War, the expansion of the British Empire, and the Napoleonic Wars. Despite periods of political turmoil and personal illness, George III became closely associated with duty, monarchy, and British national identity during a transformative age in European history.
The portrait shows the king in formal attire adorned with the insignia of the Order of the Garter, Britain’s highest order of chivalry. Beneath the portrait appears a small allegorical vignette featuring Britannia accompanied by cherubic figures beside maritime elements, symbolizing Britain’s naval strength and imperial power. The balanced composition combines royal portraiture with patriotic symbolism characteristic of the period.
The engraving is executed in the stipple engraving technique, highly fashionable in England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This method used countless small dots rather than traditional engraved lines to create smooth tonal transitions and soft, painterly effects. John Chapman was known for producing finely detailed portraits in this refined style, which was especially suited to aristocratic and royal subjects.
This portrait would display beautifully in a traditional library, study, or Georgian-inspired interior. Its monochrome elegance also works well in modern classical settings and historical gallery walls focused on British history, monarchy, or military subjects.
Condition: Fair to good condition overall, with age toning, light foxing, and visible diagonal creases at the lower corners. Minor handling wear and small discolorations consistent with age. Strong clear impression.
Framing tips: Particularly attractive in a dark walnut, black lacquer, or gilt frame with a warm ivory mat. A narrow gilt fillet can further emphasize the refined stipple engraving and regal appearance.
Technique: Stipple engraving Maker: John Chapman, England, 1804
